2Ki 12:1-3 | Clarke | STEP | Jehoash reigns well under the instructions of Jehoiada the priest, . He directs the repairing of the temple; the account of what was done, . Hazael takes Gath; and, proceeding to besiege Jerusalem, is prevented by Jehoash, who gives him all the treasures and hallowed things of the house of the Lord, , . The servants of Jehoash conspire against and slay him, .

2 Kings 12:1-3

Introduction

Jehoash reigns well under the instructions of Jehoiada the priest, 2Kgs 12:1-3. He directs the repairing of the temple; the account of what was done, 2Kgs 12:4-16. Hazael takes Gath; and, proceeding to besiege Jerusalem, is prevented by Jehoash, who gives him all the treasures and hallowed things of the house of the Lord, 2Kgs 12:17, 2Kgs 12:18. The servants of Jehoash conspire against and slay him, 2Kgs 12:19-21. Verse 2

Jehoash did - right in the sight of the Lord - While Jehoiada the priest, who was a pious, holy man, lived, Jehoash walked uprightly; but it appears from 2Chr 24:17, 2Chr 24:18, that he departed from the worship of the true God after the death of this eminent high priest, lapsed into idolatry, and seems to have had a share in the murder of Zechariah, who testified against his transgressions, and those of the princes of Judah. See above, 2Kgs 11:20-21 (note).

O how few of the few who begin to live to God continue unto the end! Verse 3

The high places were not taken away - Without the total destruction of these there could be no radical reform. The toleration of any species of idolatry in the land, whatever else was done in behalf of true religion, left, and in effect fostered, a seed which springing up, regenerated in time the whole infernal system. Jehoiada did not use his influence as he might have done; for as he had the king's heart and hand with him, he might have done what he pleased.